80% rise in strike days at private firms

Researchers found that nearly 150,000 days were lost in the year to JulyNiall Carson/PA

The number of working days lost to strikes in private companies has jumped by 80 per cent in a year, according to a report.

Researchers found that nearly 150,000 days were lost in the year to July compared with 83,000 in the previous 12 months. The figure was more than double the total in the public sector, which fell by 69 per cent to 72,000, the commercial law firm EMW said.

It added that the number was likely to be higher than official statistics because of “informal” action organised via social media rather than by unions.

“Employers need to watch out for the rising ‘hidden’ threat of unofficial collective action by disgruntled employees,” Jon Taylor, of EMW, said. “Group messaging portals like WhatsApp and Viber…

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